MD BOE Reaffirms Local BOE Little Orleans Decision

The Maryland State Board of Education yesterday reaffirmed the local board’s decision on the Little Orleans appeal. That brief one sentence statement was sent to WCBC News late Tuesday afternoon from Bill Reinhard, the State Board’s Media Relations Specialist, and it effectively puts an end to a six month battle by a group of Little Orleans parents attempting to keep their middle school students attending Hancock School in nearby Washington County. It was in April that the Allegany County Board of Education, pointing to a need to reduce the budget, took action to phase out that program. A large group of parents from that area contested the move, and initially urged the board to reconsider. During the spring the Allegany County Commissioners took up the cause, pledging to commit the necessary funds to continue the program for at least one more year- but the board rejected that offer. An appeal was filed and it was finally heard Tuesday. With little fanfare, the state rejected the appeal, upholding the local board’s decision. There seemed to be little concern on the part of the local school board, as traditionally the state upholds most local board decisions. A recent interview with Board President Mike Llewellyn revealed a strong level of confidence in how the appeal would play out…